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Ajirmat46 Advice regarding first GP appointment.
  • replies: 3

Recently I have been through a difficult period. About one month ago I sort of collapsed psychology and could no longer cope with anything. At this time I was too scared to go to a GP for help as I have a fear of doctors and was also really scared to... View more

Recently I have been through a difficult period. About one month ago I sort of collapsed psychology and could no longer cope with anything. At this time I was too scared to go to a GP for help as I have a fear of doctors and was also really scared to leave the house. Due to meditation as well as the support of my partner I have been able to begin the process of working through the mess that I was in a month ago. I have an appointment with a GP tomorrow. Hopefully it will set me onto some kind of path to recovery. I'm also on Newstart and have just found out that Centrelink have penalised me for not attending appointments (I found this out whilst trying to make an appointment for a Centrelink social worker). Although I do need the money I'm not too upset about it as I actually expected no money and to be cut off completely. Anyway now that I actually have the strength to see a doctor I'm hoping they might be able to support a temporary expedition from Centrelink activities. My self esteem is non existent, I can barely speak to people and the issues that set off my "breakdown" are still there. As I have never seen this GP (as well as never really seeing doctors I am also in a new city) I'm not really sure whether they will believe me or support my request for an exemption. I also have Autism Spectrum Disorder so I find it really hard to explain myself to doctors.. Anyway I guess I'm really apprehensive and worried about the appointment. Any advice?

shakaz Seeing more than one therapist
  • replies: 4

I have been seeing a pychologist now for over a month. He has had me visit my GP, being diagnosed with major depression, anxiety. & PTSD and I have been on a low dose antidepressant. I am seeing GP on the wed for review. My psycholgist says I am unwe... View more

I have been seeing a pychologist now for over a month. He has had me visit my GP, being diagnosed with major depression, anxiety. & PTSD and I have been on a low dose antidepressant. I am seeing GP on the wed for review. My psycholgist says I am unwell enough to be in hospital with intruding suicidal ideation, hopelessness, negative self esteem, and feeling like a burden. My question is 'should I be seeing a psychiatrist to better manage my medication? I am anxious about having to retell my issues, but don't want to lose contact with psychologist who specialises in some of my issues. Do people see 2 therapists (3 if you include GP), or will this make me fedl worse if they have different styles?

Neeni Anxiety/Panic and meds
  • replies: 3

Hi allI'm new to the forum I struggle with rather moderate to sometimes very severe debilitating generalised anxiety and panic. I am wondering if anyone else takes medication for anxiety other than antidepressants? I have bad reactions at times which... View more

Hi allI'm new to the forum I struggle with rather moderate to sometimes very severe debilitating generalised anxiety and panic. I am wondering if anyone else takes medication for anxiety other than antidepressants? I have bad reactions at times which makesmy anxiety 1000x worse which in turn makes me have thoughts of suicide. My GP has referred me to see a psychiatrist in a few weeks time and I am taking a sedative in the mean time to calm my mind; though I know this med isn't a long term solution to be walking around 'drugged out' all of the time. I have a family and a household and job to run.My question is, has anyone had any success with other types of meds for anxiety and panic other than antidepressants?beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

shallowdepths Help to get better
  • replies: 1

Hi there,I am posting online because I don't know how to go about getting help for recurring suicidal thoughts. I struggle to form relationships with counsellors to trust them enough to disclose that and I'm so ashamed of feeling this way a faceless ... View more

Hi there,I am posting online because I don't know how to go about getting help for recurring suicidal thoughts. I struggle to form relationships with counsellors to trust them enough to disclose that and I'm so ashamed of feeling this way a faceless forum seems the least embarrassing. I don't want to commit suicide but I struggle... My life isn't hard - I have so little to complain about, but still I struggle...I even struggle to put it in to words. I cannot tell anyone because I am surrounded by successful people. Does anyone understand? Perhaps someone can recommend what they did? Or who they saw? Thanks.beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Jo3 Stopped anti depressants!!
  • replies: 7

It's been about a week (I think, I really can't remember) when I decided to stop my meds. I only take one AD. I know a lot of you are going to "tell me off" and say Jo get back on them. But the thing is - how do I know when I need to stop. I wanted t... View more

It's been about a week (I think, I really can't remember) when I decided to stop my meds. I only take one AD. I know a lot of you are going to "tell me off" and say Jo get back on them. But the thing is - how do I know when I need to stop. I wanted to come off them to see how I would feel and act. Well to be honest I have been not too bad, except last night I was thinking of saying goodbye to my workmates (as I have just got a new job 5 mins from home, still in pharmacy) and as I lay in bed I broke down crying non stop. But I don't know if my pmt is not helping as well. Oh I don't know what to think - I really would like to come off the AD. I am going to phone my pyschiatrist this morning and tell him and I have a session tonight with my therapist. I know that I will get a lot of people telling me to ............... ok I have made a mistake and I need to go back on them. I am crying so much now that I can't even type. I hope that no one judges me or thinks that I am "silly" for doing what I've done. I'm now confused. I'm sorry I should not have put this on here. Has anyone else ever done this? Jo

Nikolette22 Diagnosed with depression (6years) but recently learned about what bipolar II is. My psychologist keeps avoiding discussing this with me, why?
  • replies: 4

Ok so I've been on a super depression for the last 4 months so I booked in to see a clinical psychologist. Within 5 minutes he asked me if I had bipolar. I said no as my only knowledge of bipolar included psychotic episodes which I have never had. so... View more

Ok so I've been on a super depression for the last 4 months so I booked in to see a clinical psychologist. Within 5 minutes he asked me if I had bipolar. I said no as my only knowledge of bipolar included psychotic episodes which I have never had. so we moved on in the discussion. After the the session though, I decided to read a bit more about bipolar to find out what is was. The description of the "ups" of Bipolar II were extremely indicative of me when I'm feeling my "normal" happy self. I did the black dog inst self assessment and got 43. They say a score of 22 or more could indicates bipolar disorder. So I emailed my psychologist and thanked him for our first session as I felt like he was the right person to help me and I said that I had had a look at bipolar II and it rang extremely true with me and could we discuss it in our next session. In the next session, he thanked me for my email and then he talked the entire session about Freudian theory. The buzzer went off and I asked if we could discuss the possibility of bipolar next time. So I had my 3rd session today and he again did most of the talking (about confidence) and I asked if my extreme confidence could be to do with bipolar II. He said no and moved on. wtf? Is he avoiding this for some reason?

Perrybj Starting medication for the first time, worried...
  • replies: 5

I have just been prescribed medication for depression. I have never had medication before and I'm worried about starting it... I am worried because I often hear people with depression want to go off there medication as they hate it etc.. I'm also sca... View more

I have just been prescribed medication for depression. I have never had medication before and I'm worried about starting it... I am worried because I often hear people with depression want to go off there medication as they hate it etc.. I'm also scarred because it makes it all seem real..

NicoleP ACT Conference
  • replies: 5

Hi All I am attending the Russ Harris 2 day ACT Conference tomorrow in Melbourne. I am really looking forward to it and hope that I can get lots of good information to share. KezzaA

Hi All I am attending the Russ Harris 2 day ACT Conference tomorrow in Melbourne. I am really looking forward to it and hope that I can get lots of good information to share. KezzaA

guest151 New to Melbourne, looking for a good doctor
  • replies: 2

hey im new to this really looking for help i have bad depression and im on meds for it they dont really do anything for me help me sleep a bit better i want to find a good doctor and i dont know any i aint from melbourne im from ireland so its worse ... View more

hey im new to this really looking for help i have bad depression and im on meds for it they dont really do anything for me help me sleep a bit better i want to find a good doctor and i dont know any i aint from melbourne im from ireland so its worse im getting been away from family and friends i have nobody to talk to if someone can recommend a good doctor id be so greatful or have some advice

_Emerald_ When help doesn't help...
  • replies: 2

I'm not sure if it's me but I am having so much trouble finding help that well... helps... I'll give you some history... I have a lot of different medical problems that have caused anxiety and depression symptoms in me. (I call them this because I ha... View more

I'm not sure if it's me but I am having so much trouble finding help that well... helps... I'll give you some history... I have a lot of different medical problems that have caused anxiety and depression symptoms in me. (I call them this because I have never been formally diagnosed with anything to date.) In addition, I have was involved in a two year relationship that was abusive and ended badly. Anyway I had to ignore these symptoms and carry on because I was trying to finish year 12 and shortly after graduating I moved. I had a breakdown at jobs I was working at at the time and they told me to me call their work provided counselling line. He was very quick to say that I had PTSD and that I needed psychotherapy... or something like that. I went to the doctor and he had the nurse call the CAT team and draw up a mental health plan. She was quite rude and I felt that she was quite invasive with her questioning. Anyway, she dumped a list of psychologists in front on me and told me to pick one. I saw the CAT team and they told me that I have depression and said that they would try to get in contact with my GP to recommend that I be put on anti-depressants. I saw the GP again and there he ignored the recommendation even after I mentioned it to him. I also called the psychologist and was promptly told that there was a 3 month waiting list for her. I knew I couldn't wait that long but was too depressed to do anything about it. As I got worse I quit my job and my sister called headspace and I had an appointment about a month after. The therapist who I saw appeared to not want to treat me and kept suggesting I go elsewhere... I don't want to say what that clinic was so I'm going to call it X. I stopped going to headspace because she was not helping me at all and after a lot of convincing from friends I eventually went to X about 3 months after my last appointment at headspace. Anyway, I didn't find the therapy there that productive and I was still without a diagnosis or any kind of treatment other than talking about how I'm feeling. I eventually moved back home because I couldn't support myself any longer and went to doctor and two psychologists. One of which didn't want to treat me and the other has limited appointments available. Running out of room... I just want to know if this is a common story with people or if there is something I am not doing right... I really, really need more support and I don't know what else to do. I'm so lost.

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